Team GB - Sophie Troianohttp://www.teamgb.com/athletes/sophie-troiano
Sophie Troiano joined Anna Bentley in being chosen during the second wave of selections, and both join Natalia Sheppard as the British fencers in the foil at London 2012.
She followed her father into the sport and suffered a stress fracture of her right shin in 2008 – keeping her sidelined for four months.
enGB fencers foiled by strong Italian teamhttp://www.teamgb.com/news/gb-fencers-foiled-strong-italian-team
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.teamgb.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0196101343904415195A.jpg?itok=hu_K3sr6"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0196101343904415195A.jpg?itok=hu_K3sr6" width="480" height="240" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Britain's women fencers were beaten 42-14 by title favourites Italy in the quarter-finals of the fencing team foil at the ExCeL.</p>
<p>Natalia Sheppard, Sophie Troiano and Anna Bentley had beaten Egypt 45-34 to set up the clash with the three medallists in the individual competition.</p>
<p>The gulf in class was evident as Elisa Di Francisca, Arianna Errigo and Valentina Vezzali - gold, silver and bronze respectively last Saturday - eased through.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-sport-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Summer Sports:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/fencing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fencing</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-athletes field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Athletes:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/natalia-sheppard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Natalia Sheppard</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/sophie-troiano" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sophie Troiano</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/anna-bentley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anna Bentley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-games field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/games/london-2012" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Featured:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:47:59 +0000pa1974 at http://www.teamgb.comSheppard shines as fencers beat Egypthttp://www.teamgb.com/news/sheppard-shines-fencers-beat-egypt
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.teamgb.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0193741343900323289A.jpg?itok=ujT6vovD"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0193741343900323289A.jpg?itok=ujT6vovD" width="480" height="240" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Britain's women set up a quarter-final clash with hot favourites Italy with a 45-34 victory over Egypt in the fencing team foil at the ExCeL.</p>
<p>Polish-born Natalia Sheppard led the way, winning all three of her contests by a combined 22-11 margin, but team-mates Anna Bentley and Sophie Troiano played their parts too.</p>
<p>Bentley is easily the lowest-ranked of the trio at 165th in the world, but she beat 58th-ranked Rana El Husseiny - brought in as a reserve by the Egyptians early in the match - 6-1.</p>
<p>Troiano, meanwhile, had two 3-2 victories to give Sheppard a fairly comfortable ride in the closing fight with top opponent Eman Gaber.</p>
<p>It came after none of the 10-strong British squad managed to reach the last 16 of their individuals events.</p>
<p>The Italians, however, had a clean sweep of the women's foil medals last Saturday and have three of the current world top four, including star Valentina Vezzali.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-sport-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Summer Sports:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/fencing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fencing</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-athletes field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Athletes:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/natalia-sheppard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Natalia Sheppard</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/anna-bentley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anna Bentley</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/sophie-troiano" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sophie Troiano</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-games field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/games/london-2012" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Featured:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:39:35 +0000pa1972 at http://www.teamgb.comHester leads equestrian hopeshttp://www.teamgb.com/news/hester-leads-equestrian-hopes
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.teamgb.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0187141343868616089A_0.jpg?itok=GA5VBzkO"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0187141343868616089A_0.jpg?itok=GA5VBzkO" width="480" height="240" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Helen Glover and Heather Stanning and Bradley Wiggins kicked off Britain's gold rush on Wednesday and here we take a look at medal hopes for Thursday.</p>
<p>BASKETBALL: Nate Reinking</p>
<p>Mike Lenzly's aggravated calf injury puts greater focus on Reinking, who spent long periods of the game against Brazil as the only recognised guard on the floor. The 38-year-old carried that load and finished as Britain's joint top-scorer with 13.</p>
<p>BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Zara Dampney and Shauna Mullin</p>
<p>The British pair play Russia in their final preliminary match at Horse Guards Parade. After victory over Canada was followed by defeat to Italy, the pair know a return to winning ways will see them into the last 16.</p>
<p>BOXING: Anthony Agogo</p>
<p>Following his accomplished first-round win over Junior Castillo, Ogogo faces a huge task to reach the last 16 of the men's middleweight division when he faces Ukraine's world champion and top seed Ievgen Khytrov in his second-round bout.</p>
<p>CANOE SLALOM: Lizzie Neave</p>
<p>Richard Hounslow and David Florence pair up in the men's double canoe slalom, as do Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott. Florence, 29, will be hoping to do better after he crashed out of the individual event. Perhaps Britain's best chance of a medal comes from Lizzie Neave. The 25-year-old, from Stone in Staffordshire, goes in the women's single kayak.</p>
<p>CYCLING TRACK: Philip Hindes</p>
<p>The 19-year-old German-born specialist starter has the responsibility for getting Great Britain's men up to speed in the three-man, three-lap team sprint. With Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy behind him, Hindes must deliver if Britain are to successfully defend the title.</p>
<p>EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE: Carl Hester</p>
<p>Hester will launch Great Britain's bid for a dressage team medal at Greenwich Park. The 45-year-old is in his fourth Olympics, but never has he arrived at a Games with a team holding the tag of gold medal favourites, which is exactly what GB's reigning European champions are.</p>
<p>FENCING: Natalia Sheppard and Sophie Troiano</p>
<p>Opponents in the individual event, when Sheppard won, the pair now compete together in the women's team foil. It could be Italy for Team GB in the quarter-finals - and they won all the medals on Saturday.</p>
<p>GYMNASTICS: Hannah Whelan</p>
<p>European double bronze medallist Whelan will compete in the women's individual all-around gymnastics competition at the North Greenwich arena. The 20-year-old will look to improve on her ninth-placed finish at last year's World Championships in Tokyo.</p>
<p>HOCKEY: Helen Richardson</p>
<p>Reading midfielder Richardson has assumed the captaincy in the absence of the injured Kate Walsh. She is often one of the unheralded players but her work in the GB engine room cannot be underestimated.</p>
<p>ROWING: Richard Chambers, Peter Chambers, Rob Williams, Chris Bartley</p>
<p>The lightweight men's four are Great Britain's leading gold medal hopes on day two of the finals at Eton Dorney. They won gold at the third World Cup regatta and have followed that up with two strong performances so far. Denmark are likely to be their chief rivals.</p>
<p>SAILING: Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell</p>
<p>The British duo get their men's 470 campaign under way, days after many of their team-mates first took to the water. Patience and Bithell are considered among the favourites for gold, but Australia's Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page will prove tough competition.</p>
<p>SWIMMING: Rebecca Adlington</p>
<p>Adlington starts the defence of her 800 metres freestyle. The 23-year-old has already won bronze in the 400m but the longer race is her favoured event and she is desperate to retain her crown in what could be the final 800m for women, with proposals men and women have equal parity and both swim the 1,500m.</p>
<p>TENNIS: Andy Murray</p>
<p>A place in the semi-finals is at stake and Murray will fancy his chances against Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, a player more at home on clay than on the Wimbledon grass.</p>
<p>VOLLEYBALL: Dan Hunter</p>
<p>Although Great Britain's men have struggled over their first two games, admiring glances have been cast in the direction of libero Hunter. A quite brilliant defender, the Poole-born 22-year-old has also caught the eye with his impressive reception.</p>
<p>WATER POLO: Craig Figes</p>
<p>The Great Britain men's water polo captain scored a hat-trick as his team lost to tournament favourites Serbia. The 33-year-old from Bristol will lead Team GB's charge against Beijing silver medallists the United States.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-sport-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Summer Sports:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/cycling-track" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cycling Track</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/summer-sports/sailing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sailing</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/rowing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Rowing</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/summer-sports/equestrian-dressage" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Equestrian Dressage</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-athletes field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Athletes:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/andy-murray" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Andy Murray</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/dan-hunter" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Dan Hunter</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/craig-figes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Craig Figes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/rebecca-adlington" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Rebecca Adlington</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/nate-reinking-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Nate Reinking</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/lizzie-neave" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lizzie Neave</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/philip-hindes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Philip Hindes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/carl-hester" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Carl Hester</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/hannah-whelan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hannah Whelan</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/natalia-sheppard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Natalia Sheppard</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/sophie-troiano" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sophie Troiano</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/helen-richardson" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Helen Richardson</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/zara-dampney" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Zara Dampney</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/shauna-mullin" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Shauna Mullin</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/richard-chambers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Richard Chambers</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/peter-chambers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Peter Chambers</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/rob-williams" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Rob Williams</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/chris-bartley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Chris Bartley</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/luke-patience" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Luke Patience</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/stuart-bithell" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Stuart Bithell</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-games field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/games/london-2012" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Featured:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 05:40:00 +0000pa1962 at http://www.teamgb.comBritish fencers miss out on medalshttp://www.teamgb.com/news/british-fencers-miss-out-medals
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.teamgb.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0086771343507978900A.jpg?itok=n8tJqsR2"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0086771343507978900A.jpg?itok=n8tJqsR2" width="480" height="240" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Natalia Sheppard was the only one of three British fencers in the the women's individual foil on the first day of Olympics fencing competition to win a fight as Italy took gold. </p>
<p>Sheppard beat team-mate Sophie Troiano 12-9 at the ExCeL arena, but was then crushed 15-5 by France's world number six Corinne Maitrejean in the last 32.</p>
<p>Aberdeen-born Anna Bentley, by far the lowest-ranked of the 38 competitors in the event, was a heart-breaking one second away from pulling off a huge upset, but lost in sudden death in the first round.</p>
<p>The 31-year-old, at 165th in the world ranked 122 places below Canadian Monica Peterson, brought a huge roar from the crowd when she took a 9-8 lead with six seconds remaining.</p>
<p>But her opponent levelled it with a do-or-die lunge and, despite Bentley's protestations, scored the decisive hit 23 seconds into the extra minute.</p>
<p>Sheppard refused to blame her defeat on being woken up by the opening ceremony fireworks.</p>
<p>"I couldn't believe how loud they were - incredible," said the 28-year-old, whose older sister Irena fenced for Poland in Beijing four years ago. "I got my phone to take pictures, but by then it was all over. All I got was smoke - London on fire basically.</p>
<p>As for her loss she said: "Corinne is an amazing fencer. It's her second Olympics, so she has all the experience behind her, and a few of the tactical things we worked on didn't 100% pan out."</p>
<p>She, Bentley and Troiano will try again in the team event, but if they start with a victory over Egypt they then have to tackle the mighty Italians. </p>
<p>Truro's James Honeybone is next into action in Sunday's men's sabre.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-sport-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Summer Sports:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/fencing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fencing</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-athletes field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Athletes:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/natalia-sheppard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Natalia Sheppard</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/sophie-troiano" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sophie Troiano</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/anna-bentley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anna Bentley</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/james-honeybone" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">James Honeybone</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-games field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/games/london-2012" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Featured:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div>Sat, 28 Jul 2012 20:39:45 +0000pa1705 at http://www.teamgb.comSheppard edges out Troianohttp://www.teamgb.com/news/sheppard-edges-out-troiano
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="http://www.teamgb.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0077131343472854354A_0.jpg?itok=I45x0v6Y"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/N0077131343472854354A_0.jpg?itok=I45x0v6Y" width="480" height="240" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Natalia Sheppard beat British team-mate Sophie Troiano 12-9 in a really tense opening women's foil contest in the Olympic fencing at the ExCeL Arena.</p>
<p>Ranked 56 places above her opponent at 42nd in the world, Polish-born Sheppard went 6-2 up midway through the fight, but Londoner Troiano got the deficit back to one point on no fewer than five occasions.</p>
<p>Sheppard, who came through a European qualifier to earn her spot, refused to let her opponent get back on level terms, however, and two hits in the final six seconds took her through to a second-round contest against France's world number six Corinne Maitrejean.</p>
<p>A relieved Sheppard said: "I was so scared, so nervous - the first fight is the hardest because you're always so worried about failing at the first hurdle. It's so difficult mentally facing a team-mate and she's fencing so amazingly. It's a good sign for the team event."</p>
<p>Troiano said: "I wish I'd been more switched on at the start, but you're bound to be nervous - it's the greatest show on earth. I'll regroup for the team event. That's where the real focus is."</p>
<p>There was real heartbreak for Anna Bentley, Britain's other woman foilist - she was one second away from pulling off a huge upset over Canadian Monica Peterson, but had to go into sudden death and lost 10-9.</p>
<p>Like Troiano, Bentley was given a host nation spot and at 165th in the world was ranked 122 places below her opponent. The 31-year-old Aberdeen-born fencer, who took up the sport at school in Norwich, led 3-1 early on, then found herself 8-6 behind, but scored the next three points.</p>
<p>There was huge roar when she went 9-8 ahead with only six seconds remaining, but Peterson's late lunge kept her alive and she struck again with 37 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>"The crowd really helped and I thought it was mine, but you have to die by the referee's decision," said Bentley, who believed she might have been given the decision when the two came together.</p>
<p>"Competing in the individual was a real bonus for me. I was chosen because of the team event and hopefully now we come together after Natalia and Sophie had to fight each other."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-sport-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Summer Sports:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/summer-sports/fencing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Fencing</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-athletes field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Athletes:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/natalia-sheppard" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Natalia Sheppard</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/athletes/sophie-troiano" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sophie Troiano</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/athletes/anna-bentley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Anna Bentley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-games field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Games:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/games/london-2012" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">London 2012</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-featured field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Featured:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div>Sat, 28 Jul 2012 11:00:13 +0000pa1661 at http://www.teamgb.com